Gianluca Zambrotta

Gianluca Zambrotta is an Italian former professional footballer who is celebrated for his versatility and consistent play, he played in the position of wide midfielder or as a full-back, on both the right and left wings.

Zambrotta spent his career playing for several Italian clubs, starting off with local club Como in 1994. He rose to prominence after he joined Bari in 1997, spending two seasons here before transferring to Juventus in 1999. His seven seasons spent here were arguably his most successful as he nabbed two Serie A and Supercoppa Italiana titles in both 2002 and 2003, as well as playing a pivotal part in reaching the 2003 UEFA Champions League final. In 2008 Zambrotta transferred to Milan and won his Supercoppa Italiana and third Serie A titles. After a season with Swiss club Chiasso in 2014, he announced his retirement from the team he later went on to coach.

Zambrotta’s international career brought him comparable success, winning 98 caps for the Italy national team, playing at three UEFA European Championships, three FIFA World Cups, the 2000 Summer Olympics and the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. Most notably he was a pivotal member of the Italian team that won the World Cup in 2006.

In 2000 Zambrotta was honoured as a Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic and in 2006 decorated as an Officer of the same order.